Our Staff
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Ronald Carlson, Psy.DLicensed Psychologist
Dr. Ron Carlson has practiced in Orange County as a licensed clinical psychologist for twenty four years. He is a founding partner in Health Group Psychological Services, which was incorporated in 1989, and he is currently the president and managing partner for the Fullerton and Anaheim offices. Dr. Carlson has a culturally diverse practice, and sees adults and elderly patients in individual and couples therapy.
He specializes in assisting clients in resolving crises and creating new life skills to cope with depression, anxiety, work place issues, behavioral problems, grief and loss, and interpersonal conflict. He has worked with various insurance Employment Assistance Programs for many years. His therapeutic approach is eclectic, utilizing the techniques and resources that best enable his clients to achieve their therapeutic goals. He holds a Doctorate in Psychology from Biola University's Rosemead School of Psychology.
In addition to his psychotherapeutic work, Dr. Carlson has previously taught Cognitive Therapy at the California School of Professional Psychology, directed the Chemical Dependency program at La Habra Community Hospital, provided behavioral health consultation for the University of California Clinical Practice Group, provided nationwide telephonic utilization review to a large insurance company, served on the Board of the Division of Professional Practice of the California Psychological Association, and was responsible for mental health consultation services to several large southern California medical groups. -
Joe Chiu, MDPsychiatrist
Dr. Chiu has been in private practice since 2003 after completing his residency at the University of California, Los Angeles. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Chiu specializes in treating anxiety disorders and mood disorders, such as depression. Dr. Chiu believes that by listening carefully to his patient, he is better able to gain a complete understanding of their concerns and history.
Thus, Dr. Chiu spends an ample amount of time at the first visit. This allows Dr. Chiu to establish an accurate diagnosis so the treatment plan is on target and effective. It is Dr. Chiu's philosophy that the patient's work needs to be collaborative. Dr. Chiu offers treatment choices whenever possible, and he works to ensure that the patient is comfortable with the treatment decisions. Dr. Chiu does not overbook his schedule, which allows him to spend extra time with his patients on follow up visits, as well as keeping the patient's time in the waiting room to the absolute minimum.
Dr. Chiu is conveniently close to Fullerton, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Orange and Corona communities. His offices are located close to the 91 Freeway and Imperial Highway in Anaheim, and at the 57 Freeway and Nutwood in Fullerton. -
Blair Roberts, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
Blair Roberts is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has provided therapeutic services for over 21 years. Mr. Roberts completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduate degree at San Diego State University. Mr. Roberts has experience in working with a wide range of age groups, from young children to senior citizens. Mr. Roberts has worked with clients who experienced anger management issues, anxiety, crisis intervention needs, bi-polar disorder, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, work stress/employment issues, personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, grief and bereavement issues, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attack, schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder, parent child issues, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, physical and sexual abuse, and cultural issues. Mr. Roberts employs various techniques determined by treatment needs.
He is trained in providing cognitive behavioral therapy, an intervention strategy that is based on the principle our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors. If the client can change the way they think, they will feel and act better. Along with the use of cognitive behavioral interventions, Mr. Roberts teaches mindfulness skills such as relaxation and mediation. Through this therapeutic work and guidance people gain insight and find they can better manage the stress and demands in their lives. -
Sandra Hayden, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
Sandra Hayden practices a style of therapy that is both strengths-based and solution focused. Ms. Hayden is a certified EMDR therapist and specializes in EMDR treatment. Areas of clinical focus include post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, anxiety depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, low self-esteem, relationships conflict, parenting, anger management, grief and loss, GLBT issues, phase of life problems and employment stress.
During your initial visit, Ms. Hayden will take time to get to know you, to identify the issues that are concerning you and to provide some education to her practice. Together, you will outline a treatment plan to address relevant problems or issues that are challenging you at this time. The staff and associates at HGPS are warm and friendly and provide a welcoming environment to our clients. Ms. Hayden looks forward to meeting you and working with you in the future. -
Lynne M Palmer, MALicensed Marriage, Family Therapist
Lynne Palmer, for the past eight years, has counseled a variety of populations including individual adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families from various walks of life. Ms. Palmer's practice style tends to be goal oriented while utilizing a supportive environment for people who come to see her.
After an initial assessment to determine what issues have brought the client to therapy, both the client and Ms. Palmer will work together to decide what goals to focus on during the coming weeks. As the therapy continues, Ms. Palmer will revisit these goals on a regular basis to determine benefit gained from therapy. -
Sarah Adams, PsydLicensed Marriage, Family Therapist
Dr. Adams is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1985. She completed her clinical psychologist program at Fuller Seminary. Dr. Adams has been trained in the Mitchell Model for critical incident stress debriefing and has been called to respond to a crisis within 24 to 48 hours of the incident. Dr. Adams also received training in EMDR as an avenue to reducing strong feelings associated with experiencing a trauma.
Dr. Adams also implements treatment for substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, employee assistance programs, couples counseling, children and adolescent counseling, group counseling, and domestic violence treatment for men and women. Dr. Adams is a court approved group facilitator for San Bernardino Probation Department running groups for male offenders of domestic violence in a 52 week court mandated psycho-educational program format.
Dr. Adams sees clients ranging from age eight to the geriatric population. Typical treatment issues focus on reducing problematic symptoms associated with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, parenting issues, divorce and separation counseling, grief issues, sexual and physical abuse victims, and behavioral problems for children and teens. Dr. Adams also specializes in Christian counseling. Dr. Adams is fluent in Spanish and English. -
Nancy Hybl-Bostwick, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
Nancy Bostwick, L.C.S.W. graduated from U.S.C. with a master degree in social work. She has been licensed since 1987. Her diverse work experience includes grief and loss counseling at the cancer institute of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland, UCLA's developmental disabilities evaluation institute, chemical dependency intervention and counseling at Care Unit and New Beginnings Hospitals, College Hospital's crisis intervention team collaborating with police and emergency personnel throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, and held the positions as Program Director and Associate Executive Director of Western Youth Services, an out patient clinic serving adults and children. She has been with Health Group Psychological since 2007.
Nancy provides counseling to all ages. Her specialties include relationship problems, phase of life issues, work stress, grief, loss and aging, mood and anxiety disorders, women's issues and childhood, adolescent and family problems. She has certificates in domestic violence, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, attachment disorders, play therapy and parenting. -
Steve Sproule, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
Mr. Sproule received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Sciences from California Polytechnic University, Pomona; and a Masters in Social Work Degree at University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Sproule has worked for twenty years in community mental health programs as a social worker and therapist with children, adolescents and their families. He has assisted families to work together to strengthen and help them find real and meaningful solutions and to be healthy and productive in their lives. Mr. Sproule has been a program supervisor in charge of foster care programs and currently is a supervisor at a community mental health clinic.
Mr. Sproule has been working in the private practice setting for almost 10 years, specializing in working with couples and relationship issues, anxiety issues, depressed mood issues and addiction behaviors. He works with children, adolescents, and adults, providing individual, couples and family therapy. Mr. Sproule works in a relational approach that focuses on identifying the unique aspects of each relationship and individual and assists clients in understanding what they are able to contribute to building healthy relationships. Mr. Sproule likes to determine where people are struggling in their particular phase of life. From there, he works to identify and help the client build on their existing strengths in order to create a healthy transformation in the client's life. -
Anita Lee Yokota, MSLicensed Marriage, Family Therapist
Anita Lee Yokota, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) has been working in marriage and family therapy since 1997. A key focus of her work as a therapist is teaching effective communication techniques and helping individuals, couples and families master positive relational skills. Anita also speaks Mandarin Chinese fluently.
One of Anita's specialties is couples counseling. She interned under the renowned relationship expert Dr. John Gottman while attending the University of Washington. This brought her great understanding and a balanced point of view to how both men and women interact and behave in relationships.
In addition, Anita's attuned empathy and collaborative approach with children, teens and parents enables clients to better cope with behavioral issues related to divorce and blended family. Anita realizes that depression, anxiety and stress can directly impact a person's self-esteem. Her passion is to help clients find creative solutions leading to healthier lifestyles. Anita also has extensive experience and knowledge working with persons with developmental disabilities and their families. She strongly believes that each person is unique and deserving of the support they need in order to become independent and successful in life.
Lastly, Anita's priority as a therapist is to educate and help each client master relational and life management skills so that they may learn to achieve their goals and dreams. -
Stephanie RowAdministration
Ms. Row is an intricate part of the behind the scenes activities for Health Group and is an invaluable member of the team. Monday through Friday in the Fullerton location, Ms. Row provides phone support, assists patients with scheduling and communicating with their therapist or psychiatrist. Additionally, Ms. Row coordinates the flow of information to the billing department. Ms. Row has been with Health Group Psychological Services for eight years.
